LOGIN“Don’t you think,” I said carefully, “that at this point it might be simpler to just—”“Clearly, she’s being influenced by him,” Dominic cut me off. He crossed to his desk and began shuffling around papers. “Lucas has had his hooks in her for a long time, and she’s not going to snap out of it on her
Vivian’s POVI was done waiting.I had decided this morning. I had been patient. I had been strategic. I had played the long game and smiled through every single slight and setback, and what did I have to show for it?Ellie was still here. Still wearing the title that was supposed to be mine. Still
Empty. Just a couple racks of clothes and the faint scent of mothballs.Dominic stood there for a moment, staring into the empty space. I could only see the partial outline of his jaw from this angle, but I could see it tense. His hand fell to his side, and I could nearly scent the moment he realize
Ellie’s POVI woke up before my alarm went off the next morning.That wasn’t terribly unusual anymore. A good night’s sleep felt like a distant memory at this point; my mind was always racing too much for proper dreams to fill the space. This morning was no different. I laid there for a moment stari
“I’ll handle the plague,” he said. “We’ll get a plan in order. Root out the people who are sick and quarantine them before it spreads. I’ll talk to my healers about developing a vaccine.”I let out a breath. “You’d do that?”“You just told me children die, Ellie. So yes, of fucking course I would do
Ellie’s POV“That’s it,” I finished. The words had all come out in a rush, and I felt breathless and lightheaded. “I woke up in my eighteen-year-old bedroom, and my mom was still alive, and my wolf said the Moon Goddess gave us another chance. And now here I am.”Lucas didn’t say anything for a long
Ellie POV The mountain watches us long before we reach it.By the time we gather at the clearing at its base, the air has turned sharp enough to sting when I inhale too deeply. Cold clings low to the ground, seeping up through the soles of my boots, settling into my calves.Even in daylight, jacket
I don’t know them, but I do. From the memory. Still, I find myself stepping forward into a knot of mostly unfamiliar faces—management-track students I’ve only ever passed in hallways or worked around, never with.Their jackets are cleaner. Their posture more assured. They cluster instinctively, alre
Vivian POV As soon as Dominc left, I. Was. Pissed.Everyone was in a rush, instructors trying to orchestrate a search party, students whispering and conspiring if Ellie was even alive.Some panicked, others choosing to keep celebrating the win of the day.The clearing was now a mess, lanterns swing
“You know,” Lucas finally grinned. “Defending him is step one. I didn’t know you two were so close.”“We aren’t.”Lucas plucked a grape from his plate, giving me a coy grin. “Nose to nose in a gym closet says otherwise.”I shift uncomfortably, and he notes it.“I honestly didn’t think you’d agree,”







